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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: ASRB NET Exam

150 MCQs

Single discipline paper in 120 minutes

asrb.gov.in / ASRB notification

+1 / −1/3

Marking scheme with negative marking

ASRB NET exam pattern

60 disciplines

Subject options at Master's level

ASRB syllabus annexure

INR 1000

NET-only application fee (Unreserved)

ASRB 2025–2026 notification

100

Free cross-discipline practice questions here

OpenExamPrep

ASRB NET is a 2-hour CBT with 150 discipline-specific MCQs (Master's level) for lecturer eligibility in Indian agricultural universities. Marking is +1 / −1/3. Conducted by ASRB across 60 disciplines; qualifying marks are 50% (UR), 45% (OBC/EWS), 40% (SC/ST/PwBD).

Sample ASRB NET Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your ASRB NET exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which photosynthetic pathway is characteristic of maize (Zea mays)?
A.C3 pathway
B.C4 pathway
C.CAM pathway
D.Crassulacean acid metabolism with no PEP carboxylase
Explanation: Maize is a classic C4 plant. C4 photosynthesis concentrates CO₂ around RuBisCO via PEP carboxylase in mesophyll cells, reducing photorespiration and improving water-use efficiency in warm climates — a core topic in ASRB Agronomy syllabi.
2The ideal soil pH range for most field crops in India is approximately:
A.3.0–4.0
B.6.0–7.5
C.8.5–9.5
D.10.0–11.0
Explanation: Most annual field crops perform best near neutral to slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0–7.5), where nutrient availability — especially phosphorus, iron, and manganese — is optimal. Extreme acidity or alkalinity locks nutrients and is covered under problematic-soil management in Agronomy.
3Which nutrient deficiency first appears on older (lower) leaves as uniform yellowing in cereals?
A.Iron
B.Nitrogen
C.Calcium
D.Boron
Explanation: Nitrogen is mobile in the phloem; when supply is inadequate, the plant remobilises N from older leaves to younger growth, causing chlorosis on lower leaves first. Iron and calcium are immobile and show on young tissue.
4Critical period of weed competition in most annual crops refers to:
A.The first 30 days after harvest
B.The stage when weed competition causes irreversible yield loss if not controlled
C.Only the flowering stage
D.The post-monsoon dry period exclusively
Explanation: The critical period of weed competition (CPWC) is the interval during crop growth when weeds must be controlled to prevent yield loss that cannot be recovered later. In many cereals it spans roughly 20–40 days after sowing — a standard Agronomy concept.
5System of Rice Intensification (SRI) differs from conventional transplanting mainly by advocating:
A.Higher seed rate and closer spacing
B.Younger seedlings, wider spacing, intermittent irrigation, and organic matter emphasis
C.Continuous flooding throughout the crop cycle
D.Direct seeding only with no transplanting
Explanation: SRI principles include transplanting very young seedlings (8–12 days), single seedling per hill, wider spacing (25×25 cm or more), alternate wetting and drying (AWD), and organic manuring. These reduce water use and can raise yields — frequently tested in Indian agronomy.
6Land equivalent ratio (LER) above 1.0 is most directly used to quantify yield advantage of which system?
A.Monocropping of a single crop
B.Intercropping (two or more crops grown simultaneously on the same land)
C.Fallowing between seasons
D.Sole crop followed by indefinite fallow only
Explanation: LER compares combined intercrop yields to sole-crop yields on an area basis; LER > 1 indicates a land-use advantage from complementary resource use (e.g., maize + legume). Sequential (relay/multiple) cropping is usually assessed with area–time equivalent ratio (ATER), not classic LER.
7Evapotranspiration (ET) is best defined as:
A.Soil water content at field capacity
B.Combined water loss from soil evaporation and plant transpiration
C.Deep percolation below the root zone
D.Runoff after a rainfall event
Explanation: ET = evaporation from soil + transpiration from plants. It drives irrigation scheduling and is estimated by methods such as Penman–Monteith in agricultural meteorology and irrigation management syllabi.
8Zero tillage (conservation agriculture) primarily helps by:
A.Increasing soil erosion on slopes
B.Reducing fuel/labour cost and preserving soil structure and organic matter
C.Requiring more herbicide-free weed control always
D.Eliminating the need for crop rotation
Explanation: Zero tillage minimises soil disturbance, retains crop residues, reduces erosion, saves fuel and labour, and builds organic matter over time. It is a pillar of conservation agriculture alongside crop rotation and residue retention.
9Which is the most widely grown pulse crop in India by area?
A.Chickpea (gram)
B.Pigeon pea (arhar/tur)
C.Green gram (moong)
D.Lentil (masur)
Explanation: Chickpea (Cicer arietinum, gram) occupies the largest share of India's pulse area (roughly one-third of total pulse acreage), ahead of pigeon pea, green gram, black gram, and lentil. It dominates rabi pulse acreage in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh.
10The NPK fertilizer grade 12:32:16 indicates:
A.12% N, 32% P₂O₅, 16% K₂O by weight
B.12 kg N, 32 kg P, 16 kg K per hectare
C.12:32:16 ratio of application in three splits
D.12% organic matter, 32% sand, 16% clay
Explanation: Indian fertilizer grades express percent nutrient content by weight: first number = % N, second = % P₂O₅ (phosphorus pentoxide), third = % K₂O (potash). A 12:32:16 grade is a high-phosphorus compound used at sowing in many crops.

About the ASRB NET Exam

ASRB NET (also called ICAR NET) is the National Eligibility Test conducted by the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board for determining eligibility of Indian nationals for Lecturer/Assistant Professor positions in State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and other agricultural universities. The exam consists of a single online Computer-Based Test paper of 150 multiple-choice questions (150 marks) in the candidate's chosen discipline among 60 agricultural science subjects, to be completed in 2 hours. Each correct answer carries +1 mark; each incorrect answer deducts 1/3 mark. The standard of questions is at Master's degree level in the relevant discipline. Minimum age is 21 years with no upper age limit for NET.

Questions

150 scored questions

Time Limit

120 minutes (2 hours)

Passing Score

50% minimum qualifying marks (UR); 45% (OBC/EWS); 40% (SC/ST/PwBD)

Exam Fee

INR 1000 (Unreserved, NET only); INR 500 (EWS/OBC); INR 250 (SC/ST/PwBD/Women/Transgender) (Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare)

ASRB NET Exam Content Outline

Discipline paper

Single Discipline MCQ Paper

150 objective questions entirely from the candidate's chosen subject among 60 NET disciplines listed in the official ASRB syllabus annexure

Representative

Agronomy & Crop Production

Crop ecology, weed science, irrigation, nutrient management, cropping systems, conservation agriculture, agricultural statistics

Representative

Genetics & Plant Breeding

Mendelian genetics, heterosis, hybrid seed production, CMS, backcross breeding, molecular markers, Green Revolution varieties

Representative

Soil Science

Soil texture, CEC, moisture constants, soil orders, salinity/sodicity reclamation, biological nitrogen fixation

Representative

Horticulture & Post-Harvest

Fruit and vegetable production, floriculture, propagation, ripening physiology, tissue culture, post-harvest technology

Representative

Plant Pathology & Entomology

Disease cycles, major crop diseases, IPM, economic threshold, biopesticides, insect morphology and metamorphosis

Representative

Agricultural Economics & Extension

Price elasticity, MSP, production functions, marketing, diffusion of innovations, KVK and participatory extension

Representative

Animal Sciences & Allied

Ruminant nutrition, dairy science, animal breeding, poultry and livestock diseases

Representative

Biotechnology & Seed Science

Photosynthesis, plant hormones, PCR, Agrobacterium transformation, seed testing, PPV&FR Act

How to Pass the ASRB NET Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 50% minimum qualifying marks (UR); 45% (OBC/EWS); 40% (SC/ST/PwBD)
  • Exam length: 150 questions
  • Time limit: 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Exam fee: INR 1000 (Unreserved, NET only); INR 500 (EWS/OBC); INR 250 (SC/ST/PwBD/Women/Transgender)

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

ASRB NET Study Tips from Top Performers

1Download the official discipline-wise syllabus PDF from asrb.gov.in and map every unit before starting — the entire 150-question paper comes from your single chosen subject
2Solve previous-year ASRB NET papers for your discipline; question style is Master's-level conceptual recall plus applied problem-solving
3Account for negative marking (−1/3): attempt questions you can eliminate to two options; blind guessing on 150 questions costs ~12 marks net
4For plant science disciplines, integrate pathology, entomology, and breeding concepts — crossover topics appear even within discipline-specific papers
5Join discipline-specific test series timed to 2 hours/150 questions to build speed — you have only 48 seconds per question on average
6Track ASRB notification on asrb.gov.in for combined NET/ARS cycles; application windows are short and discipline codes must match your Master's specialisation exactly

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ASRB NET exam pattern in 2026?

ASRB NET is a single Computer-Based Test paper of 150 multiple-choice questions for 150 marks, completed in 2 hours. Questions are entirely from the candidate's chosen discipline among 60 agricultural science subjects at Master's degree level. Marking is +1 for each correct answer, −1/3 for each incorrect answer, and 0 for unattempted questions. The paper is available in English and Hindi.

What is the difference between ASRB NET and ASRB ARS?

ASRB NET is an eligibility test only — qualifying candidates become eligible for Lecturer/Assistant Professor posts in State Agricultural Universities but are not automatically appointed. ARS (Agricultural Research Service) is a recruitment examination with Prelims, Mains (descriptive), and Interview for direct scientist recruitment in ICAR institutes. Candidates may apply for NET only, ARS/SMS/STO only, or combined applications with separate fee structures.

What are the minimum qualifying marks for ASRB NET?

Candidates must secure at least 50% marks (UR), 45% (OBC/EWS), or 40% (SC/ST/PwBD) in the NET paper to be declared qualified. These are minimum qualifying marks; actual selection for lectureship depends on university recruitment notifications and candidate merit.

What is the eligibility for ASRB NET?

Candidates must hold a Master's degree or equivalent in the relevant agricultural science discipline from a recognised university, with discipline-specific qualifications listed in the official notification. Minimum age is 21 years. There is no upper age limit for the NET examination. Indian nationality is required.

How many disciplines are offered in ASRB NET?

ASRB NET is conducted in 60 disciplines covering plant sciences, animal sciences, fisheries, forestry, agricultural engineering, economics, extension, statistics, and allied fields. Each discipline has a separate syllabus published in the official ASRB annexure. Candidates select one discipline at the time of application.

What is the ASRB NET application fee?

For NET only: INR 1000 (Unreserved), INR 500 (EWS/OBC), and INR 250 (SC/ST/PwBD/Women/Transgender). Combined application with ARS/SMS/STO has higher fees. Payment is made online through the ASRB application portal during the registration window.

Is there negative marking in ASRB NET?

Yes. One-third (1/3) of the mark assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer. With each question worth 1 mark, an incorrect response costs 0.33 marks. Unattempted questions receive zero — neither positive nor negative marks.

Who conducts ASRB NET?

The Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), an attached office of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Government of India. ASRB was established in 1973 and conducts NET, ARS, SMS, and STO examinations for ICAR and agricultural university positions.